WBO middleweight champion Dmitry Pirog (20-0) and his promoter, Kyril Pchelnikov, have no issue with facing mandatory challenger Hassan N’Dam (27-0) in any location or venue. Pchelnikov states that recent comments regarding the possibility of unfair judging in N’Dam’s backyard of France were taken out of context. In a recent interview on BoxingScene.com, N’Dam’s promoter, Sebastian Acaries, expressed his goal of placing Pirog-N’Dam in France. If the offer is right, Pirog is willing to fight anywhere in the world.

“Neither myself, Kyril Pchelnikov or Dmitry Pirog, ever gave an interview regarding our fear of going to France and the possibility of unfair judging. Besides myself, Kyril Pchelnikov and Dmitry Pirog, nobody else can discuss this subject [for us]. According our staff, some comments were taken out of context by journalists and attributed to me. All four of Dmitry Pirog’s fights [involving] the WBO world title have had no problems whatsoever with judging, no complaints. We did not have and do not have [any complaints with the judging in our fights]. And thanks to the contrary,” Pchelnikov said.

“I suggest that the promoter of N’Dam begin discussions with me – let’s negotiate! We never discussed the subject that caused your anger.”

By Ruslan Chikov

http://www.boxingscene.com/?m=show&opt=printable&id=53072

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On May 8th, the World Boxing Organization ordered the camps of full champion Dmitry Pirog and interim-king Hassan N’Dam to reach a deal by May 28th for the middleweight world championship.

French Promoter Sébastien Acariès, who takes care of N’Dam, declared:

“Negotiations have already started, I have made an offer to the Pirog team. I hope that we can find an agreement, interesting for the fans and satisfying for both sides. I am deeply determined to bring the fight to France, where this boxing event is highly expected”

On May 16th, Kiril Pchilnikov, the co-promoter of Dmitry Pirog declared:

“We are not unfounded in concerns about the impartiality of the judges. The scoring in N’dams fight for the interim-WBA title, where Avtandil Khurtsidze beat the French fighter, and not vice versa, is well documented by the scorecards which were in favor of Hassan N’dam.”

Sébastien Acariès, was very surprised with the comments, because the judges will be neutral officials appointed by the WBO and that should clear up any concerns with the local judging.

“Team Pirog should not fear the judges and respect them and their work, since the WBO judges are neutrals. It is an insult to the World Boxing Organization to think that there could be concerns regarding their impartiality. The WBO have always considered scoring as an important matter and always take precautions.”

“Moreover my family has been involved with boxing promotions for three generations, and therefore I will not accept any disrespectful comments regarding the manner to do my job correctly. France has never been a land of bad decisions or corruption.”

“The higher justice is proved by the number of local fights where there were unexpected decisions in such a manner that even their opponents were surprised. For example Julien Lorcy, who deserved the win for the WBO super featherweight belt against Castillo, and saw his fight declared a draw or even Bernard Inom who deserved the win against Andrea Sarritzu in a WBO title eliminator and gets a draw.”

“Furthermore, regarding the interim-WBA title fight, Hassan N’Dam won the fight against Avtandil Khurtsidze. It was a really close decision but my fighter deserved the win, no doubt”.

By Kamel Messani

http://www.boxingscene.com/team-ndam-no-reason-pirog-avoid-france-bout–53038

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On May 1st in Moscow, the current WBO middleweight world champion Dmitry Pirog (20-0) retained his belt winning a twelve round decision against Japanese contender Nobuhiro Ishida (24-8). On May 4th in Levallois, undefeated Frenchman Hassan N’Dam (27-0) won a twelve round decision against the tough Ukrainian boxer Maksym “The Tiger” Bursak (24-1) to capture the WBO’s “interim” middleweight crown.

On May 8th, the WBO sent a letter to both sides ( Pirog and N’Dam’s promoters) advising them that they have until May 28th – “to negotiate an agreement for the WBO Middleweight Championship bout between champion Dmitry Pirog and Interim Champion Hassan N’ Dam.  If an accord is not reached within the time frame, a Purse Bid will be ordered.”

N’Dam’s promoter Sébastien Acariès, the CEO of Asventure Promotion, is currently in Ukraine for the fight between his talented prospect Michel Soro and WBO 154-pound king Zaurbek Baysangurov.

He declared – “Upon returning to France, I will make an offer to Team Pirog in order to host the championship bout. In the event that they do not agree, then we will go to a purse bid. We really want this fight to happen. It has been two years now that Hassan N’Dam is fighting at the top level and waiting for a real title shot. We would like to stage this event in France where Hassan N’Dam has a significant fan base. We strongly believe that this will be a great night for boxing, as it will match two undefeated and exciting fighters”.

Some reports stated that Dmitry Pirog is trying to reach an agreement to face IBF titleholder Daniel Geale in a unification fight on August 25th. However, the World Boxing Organization through its president, Francisco Valcarcel, clearly specified on May 1st – “That the winner of the bout between Pirog and Ishida must face the winner of the fight between N’Dam and Bursak within 90 days.”

 

By Kamel Messani

http://www.boxingscene.com/?m=show&opt=printable&id=52791

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On May 4th, Team ASVENTURE (Sébastien Acariès), in association with the city of Levallois Perret, will stage the WBO-interim world middleweight championship event at “Palais des Sports” in Levallois Perret, a city near Paris. The card will be broadcast live from Paris on the French channel Direct 8 at 10:45 P.M. 
 
Unbeaten local hero HASSAN “EL FENOMENO” N’DAM (26-0, 17 KO), will fight for the WBO “interim” world title against MAKSYM “THE TIGER” BURSAK (24-0, 10 KO), a tough Ukrainian contender.
 
N’DAM has been inactive for more than one year, and in his last two fights he defeated Giovanni Lorenzo and Avtandil Khurtsidze – meanwhile BURSAK has kept his WBO Intercontinental belt with a big win over Brian Vera.
 
N’DAM has been training for more than eight weeks with local coach Mouss Ouicher. French fans call him “EL FENOMENO” because of he constantly changes style in the ring. He is definitely a great showman and he is ready to face the best of the middleweight division.


 
The winner of this bout should face the winner of Dmitry Pirog vs Nobuhiro Ishida, scheduled for May 1, within 4 months.
 
In the other big fight of the evening: French titleholder and ex-Olympic participant ALI HALLAB (11-0,5KO) will try to capture the WBO European belt against the Spanish fighter Jorge Perez (10-4).
 
HALLAB has been training for 5 weeks in Panama.

The rest of the undercard features:

Ahmed El Mousaoui (12-1, 2KO) at only 22, he wants to show the world that he can compete.

Sofiane Cherfioui (19-0, 13 KO), a tough middleweight prospect from Algeria who wants to prove that he is a serious candidate for a world title in a near future.

Jaoid Chiguer (1-0), an ex-Olympic boxer who has just started his professional career.

Christopher Rebrassé (17-2, 4KO), the super-middleweight French titleholder.

Denis Farias (12-3), a true lightweight warrior.

Youri Kalenga (10-0, 6KO), a young and powerful cruiserweight.

Christopher Dettinger (16-2, 7KO), former French cruiserweight champion.

 

By Kamel Messani

http://www.boxingscene.com/?m=show&opt=printable&id=52104

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